Ultimate Combo: Clemson RB Phil Mafah Beefs Up, Stays Fast

Clemson running back has pulled off an impressive task: bulking up 10 pounds without losing speed.

CLEMSON, S.C. — Phil Mafah is living the dream for all of us. 

The Clemson running back is completing the ultimate combination: packing on pounds with zero regrets. According to offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter, Mafah has bulked up without losing his speed. 

"Phil Mafah, I think he's around 230 pounds right now but he can move just as well or better than he did when he weighed 220," Streeter said. "That's a perfect example of a guy that just put in the work."

That's all it takes, folks. Well, hard work and God-given ability. Mafah, a Loganville, Georgia, native, has both going for him. He took all the No. 1 running back reps in the spring, improved his game and showed up to fall camp in great shape a year after rushing for 292 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries as a true freshman. 

"Every running back has a different weight they feel confident in," Streeter said. "I think, No. 1 is, can they maintain their speed or even become faster and gain weight. If they can do that then great." 

This fall, Mafah's in a running back rotation with Will Shipley and Kobe Pace, who actually did the opposite of Mafah this offseason. Pace went from 210 a year ago to 205.

"Kobe might have had to slim down just a touch, a pound here or there to feel confident and more comfortable," Streeter said. "It doesn't mean that he's not getting stronger and getting leaner and just feeling more confident."

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